H8SPVMT

Well I'm a newbie too and really don't know the true full answer to that but: for the repeater usage I think you'll need more than 5 watts of power that a Handheld might put out. I don't know of any stores per say that sell the mobile units with 15 or more watts so I purchased mine online from Midway.

Well you're part right and there are many like you in the box. I for one, have only had any lenghtly (1 Hr) conversation with a repeater operator that I befriended over time. I spent a couple days talking to close friends on an off-road trail in NC/SC. We used CB's to speak with other Jeepers on the trail. I purchased the MTX 400 for Jeep Jamborees in the future as they (JeepJamboreUSA) have made it mandatory for all events. Trying to get used to the quirks and there are some not addressed in the Owners Manual. But you are correct, there has been absolutely no one to return a radio check or signal report in the greater Charleston, SC area either. What I have heard on the channels mostly is kids playing. I put mine on scan everywhere I go. On long trips, I might hear two vehicles chatting or, sometime lthe ocal business folks. Most of the time it is dead unless the people you need to talk with have their radio on and listening for your TX. I liken it to the FRS thing. Families mostly want this for the day on the beach or our on a strollin hte park with the kids. I hear a lot of talk on the CB's still and run with it on (out on the road) as well. Yea, the nut cases are still there too. I can't imagine a lifetime on a radio repeating, Aaauuuddiiiooo...Audio.. :-) .

I like many new GMRS owners see repeaters as a grand "scheme to get extra range for free for little effort." Then it hit me after talking with a repeater owner that I should, no could place me a repeater right here (my home location) where one is badly needed as there are none! It seemed a grand idea, at first. Then the research began. Not far mind you, just statewide as to what was currently available and in use. We have sole owners (individuals) providing family & HOAs service to multi-complex memberships with linked systems and much in-between. But it struck me, it is all privately owned, just like my home & property. I get exclusive use to my property as long as I pay the local, state and federal taxes. I get to incur the maintenance cost and pay for improvements too. Like many, I hate cheap knockoffs so I'd want the best equipment, best location and highest height/range for me and my users. It would just me providing this service and realize it would be providing all the assets, time invested in setup, running and maintenance. This brings me back to my property statement. By law my property is private. You are by law required to get my permission to use it, afterall you might get injured using it and want to sue me so, I get the distinct previleage of providing the insurance too. Cut to the chase: A repeater is no less persons effort to provide a service that he while providing all those things might get sued for too. It is not that had to ask for permission, especially in a polite society... Isn't that what we all strive to be? No, at my age, I will not be setting up a repeater. I haven't seen enough pleasure in the GMRS/FRS environment ( like was in CB days of ole) to endure the hassle and cost.

Like an automobile, it should be provided with an Owners Manual that will describle what each function of the device does. SHOULD BE WRITTEN in a form about a 9-10 grade education as well. Calibration is subject to a lot of what if(s) as well and I saw that in our military equipment. If you could say three meters that all read the exact same on a piece of equipment, then maybe, just maybe... Then you get into the value of reading the meter without any explanation of what is should indicate for good or bad...

Well, I am happy they solved that issue. I am thinking there should some "indicator" on the screen when in the Talk-around mode, I'll have to check that out on mine. Oh, I see there is no special indicator for, "Talk Around Mode." Edited to add: This can be a real issue for new users if they aren't careful during the intial setup of the unit. TX & TALK modes (features) are right next to one another while scrolling thru the MENU. If you select the repeater mode of course the rP displays making one think they are ready to talk to repeaters. Changing the Talk function to ON then keeps you from being able to communicate with any repeaters as you're set up now to talk around them. I believe Midland needs address this in the Owners Manual (with an explanation that you CAN"T communicate with repeaters with the TALK set to "ON"). Or add a symbole to the screen indicating when the Talk Around mode is set to ON.

Thanks, I have seen them advertised but maybe they are just referring to the display.

Is the MXT400 a digital radio? I seem to remember it is. Curious, same reading if you remove the Squelch Tone? As a newbie I don't think that is a real issue but I would want to know, if it was mine. I don't know what the SWR meter shows (does it automatically switch) when the radio is at a normal cycle of listening but I am assuming the radio is in that mode as there is no BUSY indicator or TX bars showing in the picture. Can the SWR reflect the two different frequencies as the PTT is operated? Does it come to rest on the last frequency used? hummm...

How are you getting the display to indicate frequency and not a channel number? Is the SWR Meter somehow providing the frequency ?

I mounted my MXT400 directly above the glasses/coin, etc. tray. Don't think it will be a problem either.

My friend has that radio and it is GMRS. He can hear me on the nearest repeater but the GPX1000 doesn't put out a TX signal strong enough for him to reach and use the repeater to talk back. I am thinking you'd need to be within a couple/three miles for the repeater to get enough signal to operate for you. Check and make sure the repeater is up and functioning too, before you try. And remember, just because you can hear the repeater, doesn't mean it can hear you.

Because of the burned paint I manufactured a steel mount to hold the magnetic mount off to the side of the hood. BOLTED AND GROUNDED to the fender of the Jeep. (I'd post a picture but don't know how) I have held conversations up to 30 (-/+) miles on good days with repeaters and hand held GPX1000 out to 7 miles (me on a ridge and them inside a hotel room) within a straight line of sight.

I really don't understand how repeaters operate with the calls and usage. If the Owner hears whats going on I doubt there is much the owner can really do. Shutting it down would be the real way to end the abuse I would think.

I'm in the same boat with JJAMUSA but live in Summerville, SC. Purchased a Midland MTX 400 a month before the Gateway to the Cumberlands run this year. Read and experimented with it and a 6DB gain magnetic mounted antenna. Fairly knowledgeable now with my rig placed in a 2015 Wrangler and used it (even tho it wasn't required) while on the trails just for testing with friends that carried the GTX 1000 hand helds. What manufacturer and model radio are you running? At home I have a repeater I talk to/on for fun about 34 miles up the road (when I can connect). As you get more knowlegable try reaching a repeater.

I think it odd that the frequency's are represented by Channel Numbers and all the CTCSS/DCS are in shown in their decimal format. I don't mind that but I do have to look up the frequency of the individual channels often. The CTCSS/DCS are easy to use when scrolling through with the dial.

Page 23 describes "HOW TO" reset the unit/radio back to "all original settings" in case you aren't too familiar with fixing ya screw-ups. Follow those steps to begin, they work. To dial in a frequency find the channel number first. Turn the radio on and turn the big knob to that channel number. No tones have been set for that channel/frequency until you hit the CTCSS/DCS buttons on the face. Example: A quick way to remove a CTCSS/DCS code is to go the channel as before, and find there has been a code assigned say 141.3 (22) to that channel. Just press the CTCSS button three timse and wipes (clears) the Tone code off that channel. From the Owners Manual:NOTE: Pressing the TS/DCS button, three times while using CTCSStones and twice while using DCS codes, will disable the Privacy settings. NOTE: If you select a CTCSS Privacy Code, any pre-selected DCSPrivacy Code will be cancelled, and vice-versa. NOTE: If a DCS Privacy Tone is selected and you want to assign aCTCSS tone you will be taken out of the privacy tone menu and forced tostart the selection process from the begining. The MXT 400 uses a Channel Number, instead of a frequency setting on the screen. Look to Owners Manual page 25 for a list of the frequencies and how they coorespond to the channel numbers. CTCSS and DCS codes are located on page 26. Gets a bit confusing looking for a frequency without the charts, I know. The same applies for the CTCSS & DCS frequencies as they too are named as a Code or Number on the chart.

In my case the clear coat seperated from the base paint leaving tiny bubble like looks directly under the base with the rubber cup/isolator in place.

With GMRS, what is one wave lenght?

With the issue of burning my hood with the MXTA26 antenna a conversation was started by Midland wanting to know if I had used the "isolator" on the base of the magnetic mount. I informed him that I had, I think. The only item that came with the antenna base was a very thin soft rubber cup for the base to rest in. Because this rubber component was easy to tear I asked for another to be provided for replacement when I could no longer use the original. ALOT OF discussion took place between the Factory Outlet store personnel that was benting over backward to find the part number I requested so I could continue ordering this item as it worn out. I finally received another isolator, free in the mail! Well, maybe but is isn't the part that shipped (rubber cup) with my antenna. Instead I received a plate steel labeled MXTA38 professionally packed and with some double sided sM tape on the bottom. It is id'ed as a "Metallic Base for Magnetic Mount". I simply don't understand what an isolator is then, I guess so, I ask, "What is the isolator that is provided with the MXTA26 6dB gain antenna supplied with the magnetic base? Anyone know?

Mine burned the paint on the Jeeps hood but I have no way calculating the resonant point for mine on a NMO magnectic mount.

Very good point for us newbies! I have found repeaters not listed here, but local in the area. I figured that the repeater owner would not hear me trying to locate the CTCSS until I had found the correct code to get tone or, no static. I am on the very outer edges of two repeaters AND ONLY HAVE LIMITED time in areas that I can make contact in the mobile situation I am in. But I have found one owner that now listens for me every Weds morning as I pass thru an active area where we can chat. Hes happy his equipment is reaching the far and I'm a happy to know my rig is actually working as designed too.

What caused the burned paint? I don't rightly know. Bubbles appeared between the clearcoat and base paint while shortly transmitting over a two day period at 40 watts. I am a newbie to all the technical aspects antenna efficiency. I used the antenna isolator to prevent scratches in the paint as it is a new vehicle. Maybe the isolator has reduced my reception and TX when it was on the hood. After manufacturing a separate plate to set of to the side of the hood (with a ground strap) it seems to TX slightly better. I have no way to officially measure that tho. I did use the antenna to speak to a friend while he was on a HT in his hotel room and I on the mountain. Yes I would recommend the antenna for your use. 11/1/2020 Midland contacted me today to see about getting to the cause and a resolution.

OK, thanks for the compliment but, I am just a newbie thrown in here with the rest of our crowd and trying hard to get a gripe on this GMRS comms like you. Go the Repeater Map here, on this site. Can you identify the repeaters within 30 miles of you? (Montco West Contact owner) or (First State 550 , Shepard 675) These two appear to be private. If so, it might be one of the listed repeaters but you can't bank on that being the case. I don't know that they have any special code except for the CTCSS or DCS code set to, "To Open" the repeater. Repeaters use these codes to filter out transmissions (TX) not meant for them. So, in order to get your TX heard, you have to use these codes to get the repeater to "Hear your TX." More importantly, you have to be within the range of your radio, to reach the repeater. You may hear a reapeater but, that doesn't guarantee the repeater can hear your transmitted signal. "Radio transmission Range" is subjected to alot of issues. Besides the limit of the radio, the land, trees, buildings and atmosphere and contribute to reduce your radios out of power to a point well below the advertised capabilities. Like I mentioned above in my post you might want to test and see if you are in fact, reaching the repeater. -Find a time the repeater isn't being used. -Set up your radio on the repeater frequency. -Set the first CTCSS code on that frequency. -Turn off the squelch to the point you hear constinct static Now Press the TX button briefly and release Right after releasing the TX button, what did you hear: just instance static or a dead space (complete silence) for 1.5 - 2 seconds? Most probably static - Keep at this until you hit that complete silence and or you hear that trail tone with the next CTCSS or DCS code... If you went thru all the codes, you are too far away from the repeater or you need a better antenna.

Listen and get their ID information as best you can. Run their callsign thru the call sign lookup here (Control Panel) on the Repeater page and see if you can ID it that way (for contact infomation). Sit on the frequency and key the mike very shortly using one CTCSS code at a time until you hear the trail tone (if there is one. I turn the squelch off for this) after your transmission (but you may only get a signal of clear space too). Then you can ask for permission to use the repeater. When this doesn't work I just for a signal report and wait for replies. For the most part GMRS is dead around here so reports are hard to come by. Use your call sign slowly too for the owner to hear it they are nearby and I guess they may reply.

700 REPEATER SYSTEM SAN PEDRO, California Covers from San Pedro to Santa Monica. You're right in the middle and should be able to hear this on your MTX275 just fine. It is listed on the repeater"MyGMRS.com Repeaters sectionfor more information like CTCSS codes etc... Just thought I'd take a look as I was stationed in Long Beach back in the early 1970s... a lifetime ago. Link: https://mygmrs.com/view?id=4176

There could be other GMRS repeaters than what is listed on the map too. Some may be private or, just haven't listed their equipment for the public to find easily. These are found by actually listening to scans of the channels over time wnd hearing them if/when they ID themselves. So far as a newbie, the SCAN MODE has been my friend in locationing two such repeaters while traveling local and afar.